Iraqi army in counter-offensive near ISIL-held Ramadi

Iraqi forces, backed by Shia militias and US air strikes, pound ISIL positions near central city of Ramadi.

24 May 2015 08:51 GMT

Iraqi government forces backed by Shia militias have launched a counter-offensive against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) near the central city of Ramadi.

The Iraqi army, backed by US air support on Saturday, pounded ISIL positions near Ramadi, which ISIL fighters captured last week in an embarrassing setback for the Iraqi government and the US-led coalition against the group.

Ramadi, situated about 110km west of Baghdad, is the capital of Anbar province. The strategic city extends along the Euphrates River and is the largest city in the governorate.

Iraqi troops and Shia fighters also deployed to defend Khalidiya, a town just a few kilometres from the Habbaniyah military base. The surroundings of the base saw heavy fighting on Saturday.

"ISIL wants to take control of this base which would serve as a staging ground for the Iraqi army and Shia paramilitary forces when they launch the counter-offensive against the group," Al Jazeera's Zeina Khodr, reporting from Baghdad, said.